Efficacy of isoprothiolane for the treatment of fat necrosis in cattle

The efficacy of isoprothiolane (di-isopropyl-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidenemalonate) against fat necrosis in cattle was evaluated. Japanese Black cows suffering from fat necrosis, without clinical symptoms, were given 20 g of isoprothiolane orally once a day for 8 weeks. In 60% of these cows the size of the necrotic fat masses had decreased significantly 8 weeks after the treatment, and in 47% the masses disappeared after 1 year. The necrotic masses were initially softened or divided up; subsequently their size was reduced and finally they were hardened by the isoprothiolane treatment. On the other hand, only a slight reduction of the size of the necrotic masses was observed in the cows treated with a daily dose of 7·5 g of phytosterol instead of isoprothiolane, but not in the cows treated with a daily dose of 250 g of adlay ( Coix Lachryma-jobi). These results indicate that isoprothiolane is the most effective agent for the treatment of bovine fat necrosis.